The LEGO building experience…

Building a LEGO set is more than simply playing with a toy; it is an experience. For those minutes, hours, or in some cases, days spent assembling a LEGO set, something special transpires. It is during this time that your mind is solely focused on accomplishing a single task. All distractions dissipate, and you become one with the LEGO set. You find yourself in a bubble of serenity, one you never want to leave…

This is me with my new LEGO Architecture set

After giving the LEGO box-art one last look, you break the seal and dump the contents waiting for you inside. Out come the instruction manuals, the clear plastic bags of LEGO bricks, and maybe even a sticker-sheet. You get everything into position and grab the first bag. The distinct crinkling sound of the plastic bags full of LEGO bricks symbolizes the beginning of your journey; however long or short it may be…

As the LEGO pieces lay scattered before you, waiting to be assembled, you peruse the pile for unique elements that you may have never seen before. Your mind starts to wander as you daydream about the new possibilities they provide. However, you quickly snap back to the task at hand and begin the build…

You open the instruction-book and first begin assembling the minifigures. Once they are complete, you set them aside but not too far away. You look at them, and they look right back at you. They will have the best view of all, watching you complete the set. They are stoic but excited. They need you to complete the set for them. You give them purpose. This build is for them as much as it is for you…

My daughter and I reviewing a LEGO set (see video below)

As the build continues, more bags of LEGO bricks are spilled and sorted as you begin to imagine what the set will look like when it’s done. The first feelings of pride begin to emerge. You know that the end is near, which makes you both happy and sad. While ecstatic about the accomplishment of completing the build, you quickly begin to think about what your next set might be. A true builder never rests…

Your new LEGO set is now built! You test the clever play-features and show them off to your friends and family. They congratulate you and ask things like “You built that all by yourself?” You proudly tell them, “Yes, I did!” which brings a smile to your face and theirs…

This LEGO set could have been a gift or something you saved up for. It could have been the first LEGO set in a specific theme or the one that completes your collection. It could have been brand new or one you had your eye on for a while. You may keep this LEGO set on display for days, weeks, or longer, or you may quickly break it down to work on your own creations. What comes next is your choice. You earned it…

What do you think? Do you have similar experiences when you build a LEGO set? Does it make you feel proud or excited? Or even meditative and serene? Please feel free to share your own realizations below. Would love to hear from you! 😉

My name is Chad Collins and this is my first article here at TBB. My daughter and I run a YouTube channel called Your Creative Friends (YCF), where we review new LEGO sets (as you can see in the video above). If you have some time please stop by for a visit! Thank you!

I too love the experience of building a lego set, everything just comes together so nicely, and it’s so much fun discovering new pieces that you somehow missed, (even after countless hours of looking at the picture in the LEGO magazine.) While I usually get the set for the car, plane, house, etc the minifigures always surprise me with the nice little details. I think Lego has done an excellent job in delivering a prodct that is fun for everybody, and terribly addicting. (A very good thing to be addicted to though.) Oh and nice Architecture set by the way

When I built my Ninjago sets, I felt exactly like how you described! Well… my parents didn’t really show that much emotion when I built the Ultra Sonic Raider or any other of my sets. Oh well they were a blast to build!

Jay, please treat others as you would like to be treated. Everyone appreciated constructive feedback if delivered compassionately and with the intent of helping someone to improve. Chad wrote an inspiring article to share with our readers – other fans of the LEGO hobby. He also shares the hobby with his children and they have fun together playing, and making video reviews that many people appreciate. If you don’t like them don’t watch them. But to tell Chad and his lovely family that you hate what the are doing… not to best way to welcome a new contributor to our community. 😐

Eric, it is not possible to delete your own comment on blogs. That’s why I suggested to count to three before hitting the send button. 😉

I can edit and detele comments by request, but I only do it if there is some absolutely dire need (like someone publicly posted their email address and wants to retract it). It is really best to take a moment to think before hitting that button. That’s what differentiate blogging from places like YouTube; using our brains.

I found the review very good, it contained everything I look for in such a video. It was straight, down to the point, and really well done. I ecspecially liked how you showed everything straight out of the box. So many other reviews focus only on the set after it is completed and we get no look into the build structure.

Jay, there is no need to crawl under a rock. We all have bad days and you already said you are sorry. I thought your comment was highly out of character as you are normally lighthearted, friendly and funny. It’s usually a good idea to count to three before hitting the send button. 😉

Hm… I’m not sure if others would appreciate that even if done as something for fun. That would be pretty much identity theft. I wouldn’t want that happen to me, and I would not want to do that to others. Besides, I’m yacking enough already. There is no need for me to get a second identity to do that.

Well written! That exactly describes how I feel about LEGO building – I could identify with every word! How awesome that you can share this hobby with your daughter! LEGO has been a family hobby since my son was old enough to play with them instead of choke on them. He’s in college now and occupied with friends, girlfriend and exams, but his Christmas gift to me was 2 sets AND spending time with me to build them together.